Are you tired of feeling underestimated by others based on their perception of you? Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like you don’t belong in your field or that you’re not good enough? If so, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how we can present ourselves to others in the best light possible, and how we can take control of our image and overcome imposter syndrome.

I am a lifelong learner with a diverse background in Psychology, Neuroscience, and currently studying Business Analytics, MBA at NYIT. When I came to the United States in 2019 for the first time, I worked as a dog walker and a cashier to be able to interact with people and improve my language skills. I met some great people during that time, who helped me to improve my language skills, and I still interact with them today. However, I sometimes feel undervalued by some of my earliest acquaintances. It’s possible that others may not fully grasp my qualifications and capabilities, and may have formed a limited perception of me as just a dog walker based on their interactions with me. A classic example of this is Steve Jobs, who many people know started Apple from his garage. Despite initial doubts about him, he went on to create one of the most successful companies in the world. There is a saying that I love so much; “Once you know the answer, everything is obvious!” not everyone will understand or appreciate our full potential, but that doesn’t mean we should let it hold us back from pursuing our goals and building a positive self-perception. And there are some ways that I’ve learned throughout my life to be proactive about shaping the way we present ourselves.

The truth is, everyone has a different image of us, and we have limited control over that. But what if I told you there’s a way to take control of your image and overcome imposter syndrome? If you are not familiar with the term, imposter syndrome is a widespread phenomenon, the feeling of not being worthy of success and feeling like a fraud. According to a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, around 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. It is most commonly experienced by high-achieving individuals, such as college students, professionals, and people in leadership positions, especially for people who are new to a field or come from diverse backgrounds; like myself, and maybe like you!

Imposter syndrome can hold us back from projecting confidence, and competence and changing the image that people have of us. We need to be proactive about shaping the way we present ourselves. Now that we have a better understanding of imposter syndrome, Here are a few strategies for taking control of your image and projecting confidence through impression management that you might find helpful:

Networking: Building professional relationships is essential for career development. By networking with professionals in your field, you can showcase your qualifications and skills and build a positive image.

Highlighting your qualifications: Make sure to highlight your qualifications and skills in your resume and cover letters. This can help others understand your true potential and capabilities.

Being intentional about communication: Be intentional about the way you communicate with others and make sure to talk about your professional development and career goals more frequently.

Focusing on your own self-perception: By setting goals, working on your weaknesses, and challenging yourself with new experiences, you can improve your own self-perception and be more confident in yourself and your abilities.

Volunteer or take on leadership roles: By taking on new roles and responsibilities, you can demonstrate your abilities and skills and build a new image in others’ minds.

Another strategy is “impression management”, which is the process of deliberately trying to control the way we are perceived by others by dressing professionally, speaking clearly and confidently, and highlighting our accomplishments and qualifications.

In conclusion, the image that others have of us is not solely based on our past experiences or jobs. There are various factors that influence how we are perceived by others, such as our behavior, appearance, and communication style. Additionally, our own self-perception plays a crucial role in shaping the image that we project to others. And also, by being aware of the imposter syndrome and working on overcoming it, we can build a more positive self-perception and project confidence and competence.

As a final note, I want to remind you that even if you’re able to change the image that people have of you through impression management techniques, it won’t change everyone’s perception of you. And that’s OK! Some people may have their own biases or perceptions that they hold onto, but it’s essential to not let that discourage you from continuing to work on building a positive self-perception and projecting confidence and competence. Remember that imposter syndrome and self-doubt are common experiences, but by being proactive and intentional about shaping the way you present yourself, you can overcome those feelings and achieve your goals.

This Article was contributed by Hatice Gazioglu, CSEE Ambassador in the office of Career Success and Experiential Education.

To make an appointment with Hatice or any of our Career Advisors or CSEE Ambassadors click here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/stu/appointments/new